What clothes should I wear for a passport photo?

For a passport photo, wear everyday clothing with a plain, darker color to contrast the white background, like a solid t-shirt or blouse, avoiding uniforms, camouflage, or white tops, and remember to remove glasses and hats (unless for religious reasons with a signed statement) so your full face is clearly visible. Keep jewelry minimal and ensure your hair and makeup are natural, as the goal is to look like your normal self.

What is the best color to wear for a passport photo?

For a passport photo, wear dark, solid colors like navy, charcoal, or burgundy to contrast with the mandatory white background and make your face stand out, avoiding white, pastels, busy patterns, uniforms, and camouflage to prevent blending in or distraction. Choose modest necklines like crew or V-necks for clarity, as the photo crops from the shoulders up, and remove glasses unless medically necessary.
 

Does it matter what clothes you wear in a passport photo?

A shirt with a classic collar is a safe choice for a stylish passport photo. Choose a shirt without eye-catching patterns or logos – simple and timeless is the aim here. Alternatively, a high-quality polo shirt also looks smart and modern. Avoid T-shirts with large prints or lettering as they distract from the face.

Is there a dress code for taking a passport photo?

Is there a dress code for passport photos? The US State Department advises you to take your picture in “clothing normally worn on a daily basis” in darker colors and without patterns. Plain t-shirts and collar shirts are appropriate, but uniforms and certain accessories (e.g., a hat) aren't allowed.

What is the best color to wear for an ID photo?

Dress Well

Avoid white, as it often clashes with bright backgrounds, making you look washed out. Fair-skinned individuals should also steer clear of white. Black can also be problematic, particularly for those with light skin, but a black and white combination can work. Opt for soft colors like blue, pink, or green.

What to Wear for a Passport Photo

What is the one color you should never wear in a passport photo?

You should never wear white (or other very light colors like beige/light gray) in a passport photo because it blends in with the required plain white or off-white background, making your outline unclear and risking application rejection; instead, wear darker, solid colors for contrast. Avoid uniforms, camouflage, and busy patterns, and ensure your clothing provides clear separation from the background for official identification.
 

What are the do's and don'ts for passport photos?

Your photo must be a clear shot of your entire face horizontally centered in the photo. Profile shots or photos not in focus will not be accepted. Your photo must be taken against a plain white or off-white background. Your expression should be neutral with both eyes open and directly facing the camera.

Can you smile with teeth in a passport photo?

Pose and Expression

Use a neutral facial expression or natural smile. Avoid showing teeth. Look directly at the camera with your eyes open. Make sure that your eyes are not obstructed or covered by your hair.

What is the best hairstyle for a passport photo?

Passport photo hair rules are not very strict, applicants only need to make sure that their face is fully visible. Generally, it's advisable to stick to modest and elegant hairstyles, avoiding extravagant ones. If you have long hair, tying it back is usually a good idea.

What are common passport photo mistakes?

Common passport photo mistakes include poor lighting (shadows, overexposure), incorrect facial expressions (smiling, squinting, closed eyes), wrong background (patterns, shadows), and issues with head position or size, plus disallowed items like glasses (unless medically necessary), hats, or headphones, all leading to delays or rejections. Getting the sizing wrong (e.g., head too large/small) and using outdated or digitally altered photos are also frequent errors.
 

What will get a passport photo rejected?

Your passport photo is likely rejected due to common issues like incorrect sizing, poor lighting (shadows), the wrong background (not plain white/off-white), unacceptable attire (uniforms, glasses), a non-neutral facial expression (smiling too much), low image quality (blurry/pixelated), or digital alterations, which prevent biometric recognition for identity verification.
 

What clothes can you not wear for a passport photo?

For a passport photo, avoid wearing uniforms, camouflage, or white/light-colored shirts that blend with the background, along with hats (unless for religious/medical reasons with a doctor's note), sunglasses, headphones, or any accessories that obscure your face like heavy jewelry or face masks, as the goal is a clear, neutral, everyday look with a contrasting solid color.
 

What should you not do before a photo?

Here are our top 4 Do's & Don'ts as you plan your next photoshoot

• Don't overthink how you'll look in photos. ...
• Don't eat foods high in sodium and avoid alcohol at least 24 hours before your session. ...
• Don't try new skincare or makeup routines as you may break out. ...
• Don't stress about the weather.

How to look attractive in a passport photo?

Here are the tips you'll learn in this post:

1. Push Your Head Forwards to Get a Jawline.
2. Stop Forcing Your Eyes Open and Raise Your Lower Lids.
3. Fix Your Posture In 2 Seconds by Taking a Big Breath.
4. Avoid the Mug Shot-Look by Smiling Slightly.
5. Look Fresh by Taking the Photo After Your Fitness Session.
6. Use Makeup.

What disqualifies you from getting a passport?

You can be stopped from getting a passport due to unresolved legal/financial issues like owing significant child support, unpaid federal taxes, or having an active felony arrest warrant, along with application errors, fraud, or certain serious criminal convictions (especially drug or sex trafficking-related), as well as failing to prove U.S. citizenship. Issues with your application itself, like missing info or a bad photo, or being under a court-ordered travel restriction also prevent issuance. 

Does my hair have to be behind my ears in a passport photo?

No, your hair doesn't have to be behind your ears for a U.S. passport photo, but it's highly recommended to tuck it back if it might obscure your face, eyes, eyebrows, or the oval shape of your face, as the primary rule is that your entire face must be clearly visible. While ears don't need to be visible, ensuring your facial features are unobstructed helps avoid rejection and delays, so tucking long hair back or pinning bangs to the side is the safest bet. 

What is not accepted on a passport photo?

In a passport photo, you generally cannot wear eyeglasses, hats, or head coverings (unless for religious/medical reasons with a doctor's note), uniforms, or camouflage; avoid heavy makeup, large jewelry, headphones; maintain a neutral expression with both eyes open; and ensure your face isn't obscured by hair or shadows against a plain background. 

What documents do I need for a passport?

To get a U.S. passport, you need a completed but unsigned DS-11 form, proof of U.S. citizenship (like a birth certificate or naturalization certificate), a valid photo ID (like a driver's license), photocopies of both, a passport photo, and fees, applying in person at an acceptance facility. You must bring the original documents and their photocopies (front and back on 8.5x11 paper). 

What are the don'ts for passport photos?

For passport photos, don't wear glasses, hats, or head coverings (unless for religious/medical reasons with a doctor's note), use digital filters/retouching, smile too broadly or frown, wear uniforms/camouflage, use shadows on your face/background, or have blurry/dark photos; instead, use a plain white/off-white background, neutral expression with eyes open, and normal, non-uniform clothing for a clear, recent, and accurate photo.
 

Can you take a passport photo on your phone?

Yes, you can take a passport photo with your phone, especially for online renewals, but you must follow strict guidelines for lighting, background (plain white/off-white), no filters, neutral expression, and correct size/cropping; using a dedicated passport photo app or tool to help meet official requirements is highly recommended.
 

Why can't you smile in passport photos anymore?

To compare a 3D face with a 2D passport photo, they need to pinpoint and measure the users' facial features. It includes the distance between the pupils, ears, nose and mouth, the mouth's and the eyes' width, and many others. Smiling can make it harder, as it alters facial proportions,” Turowska told HuffPost.

What is the one color you should not wear in a passport photo?

You should never wear white (or other very light colors like beige/light gray) in a passport photo because it blends in with the required plain white or off-white background, making your outline unclear and risking application rejection; instead, wear darker, solid colors for contrast. Avoid uniforms, camouflage, and busy patterns, and ensure your clothing provides clear separation from the background for official identification.
 

What are common reasons for passport photo rejection?

Key Highlights

• Passport photos must follow strict rules from the Department of State. ...
• Many photos get turned down because of glare from eyeglasses, an incorrect background, or the head not being in the right place (from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head).

How do I not look bad in passport photos?

The recommended facial expression for a passport photo is neutral. Applicants need to relax the muscles and look into the camera, without closing their eyes or frowning your forehead. You can have a delicate smile but make sure not to show your teeth.